Dozens dead as magnitude-7.1 earthquake hits the Philippines

By Lateef Mungin, CNN

updated 10:28 PM EDT, Tue October 15, 2013

Residents view the ruins of the historic Holy Cross Parish Church in Maribojoc on the central Philippine island of Bohol on Friday, October 18. The death toll has risen above 180 after a magnitude-7.1 earthquake on October 15.

A Philippine soldier walks through the ruins of the historic Holy Cross Parish Church in Maribojoc on October 18.

People walk along a damaged road in the province of Bohol on Tuesday, October 15.

A crane sifts through the rubble of Our Lady of Assumption Parish Church in Dauis on October 15.

Earthquake victims receive care in the parking lot of a government hospital in Cebu on October 15.

Newborns are treated at a temporary shelter in Cebu on October 15.

The Church of San Pedro in Loboc appears to be heavily damaged after the quake on October 15.

Cars lie under rubble outside the GMC Plaza Building in Cebu on October 15.

People gather outside damaged buildings in Cebu on October 15.

Rescuers pull a man from the rubble in Cebu on October 15.

HIDE CAPTION

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

Major quake in the Philippines

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Deaths are reported in several areas

Earthquake strikes on a national holiday in the Philippines

It was centered near a town in Bohol province

There was damage in the city of Cebu, a witness tells CNN

(CNN) -- A magnitude-7.1 earthquake struck the central Philippines on Tuesday, leaving at least 99 people dead and 276 more injured, and rattling many who were celebrating a religious holiday.

The quake, which struck early in the morning, crumbled a number of buildings and sent panicked people streaming into the streets, witnesses said.

The bulk of the casualties -- 90 deaths and 166 injuries -- came in Bohol province. At least nine were killed in Cebu province and one died in the province of Siquijor, the Philippines News Agency reported, citing the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Most of those killed were hit by falling rubble, the agency reported. So far, nearly 2.9 million people from 560,000 families have been affected.

7.1 earthquake rocks Philippines

Dozens of people were missing, and authorities were checking into reports of people trapped in collapsed buildings in Cebu and Bohol, the agency reported.

Landslides were reported in Cebu, according to the disaster council, which also reported stampedes at two venues in that province, as well as damage to a port terminal, an airport tower, a fish port, a public market, schools, churches, hospitals, bridges, roads, government buildings and residences across Bohol, Cebu and outlying areas.

Power was restored to most affected areas, except Bohol province, the city of Cadiz and part of the city of Iloilo.

The quake was centered about 620 kilometers (385 miles) south-southeast of Manila, near Catigbian, and its depth was 20 kilometers (12 miles), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The Philippines disaster council gave the temblor a slightly higher rating, 7.2 magnitude, than the USGS.

Maryann Zamora, a communications specialist with the charity World Vision, reported seeing glass and concrete in the streets of the city of Cebu, about 60 kilometers north of the epicenter.

"Right now we are in the streets because it is unsafe to be inside," she said by phone, her voice shaking as one of more than 10 aftershocks hit. "Tell everyone to pray for us."